Refrigerator having a door with a cooling unit mounted therein



Feb. 7, 1950 J. R. PRosEK 2,496,492

REFRIGERATOR HAVING A DOOR WITH COOLING UNT MOUNTED THEREIN Filed June20, 1947 v INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 7, 1950 REFRIGERATOR HAVING A DOOR WITH A COOLING UNITMOUNTED THEREIN John R. Prosek, Riverside, Ill., assignor toInternational Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationJune 20, 1947, Serial No. 755,904

1o claims. l

This invention relates to a refrigerator and more particularly to aclosure clement for the access opening in a refrigerator cabinet havinga food-storage compartment.

Refrigerators of the household type generally assume two forms: one, theupright-type which has itsfood-storage compartment opening at its frontand closed by a hinged door; the other, a chest-type provided with a.hinged cover at its top, usually used in the storage of food and similararticles at sub-freezing temperatures. In both boxes it has beenheretofore common practice to provide a separate compartment for therefrigerant-circulating machinery and to utilize the door or covermerely as a closure member. At the same time conventional designinvolved construction in which the refrigerating apparatus; includingthe evaporator, condenser and compressor, is readily removable as aunit.

According to the present invention the foregoing elements ofconstruction are embodied in a closure member that serves the dualfunction of closing the food-storage compartment and of carrying therefrigerating apparatus as a removable unit. With a construction of thetype disclosed herein the cover or door, together with the refrigerationapparatus, may be removed for repair or adjustment and may be replacedby another similar unit or element while such repair or adjustment isbeing accomplished. It is therefore the principal object of theinventionto provide an improved refrigerator including a closure member of thetype embodying the advantages just described. It is a further object ofthe invention to provide a refrigeration unit embodied as the closuremember of a simple and inexpensive cabinet or box, whereby the cabinetmay be inexpensively constructed and tted with the removable closure.Other objects of the invention are: to provide a closure comprisinginner outer sheets secured together at their marginal edges to provideahousing space for containing refrigeration apparatus; to provide forthe mounting of an evaporator in proximity to the inner sheet and acondenser in proximity to the outer sheet, both the condenser andevaporator preferablv being contained within the housing space betweenthe sheets; to connect the evaporator and condenser in heat-transferrelationship with the inner and outer sheets respectively; to providethe evaporator and condenser relatively coextensive in area with theinner and outer sheets respectively; to provide an intermediate sheetbetween the inner and outer sheets on which a refrigerant compressor maybe mounted; and to provide the closure of louvered `construction wherebyto facilitate the circulation of air over the condenser and compressor.

The foregoing and other objects and desirable features of the inventionwill appear as a disclosure of a preferred embodiment is more fully madein the following detailed description and accompanying sheet ofdrawings, in which the single gure represents a transverse sectionalview through a refrigerator equipped with a closure element constructedaccording to the principles of the present invention.

For the purposes of clarity and brevity in the following description,reference will be made to upper and lower and interior and exteriorparts. These expressions, like others to be used, refer to only one ofmany forms that the invention may assume; hence, the disclosure shouldbe taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The refrigerator chosen for the purposes of illustration is of theso-called freezer-chest type used for the storage of food and otherarticles at subfreezing temperatures. This refrigerator includes acabinet or chest having walls deflning a food storage compartment I0which is provided with an opening I I through which access may be had tothe food-storage compartment, 'Ihe foodstorage compartment is delineatedby an inner shell or tank I2 associated in spaced relation to andinsulated from an outer tank or shell I3. The tanks are preferablyformed of sheet metal construction and each has an upper inwardly yturned ange cross-connected by a breaker strip I4 of insulatingmaterial. The construction just described is generally conventional andmay embody other details of construction not important to the presentinvention.

The cabinet is preferably square or rectangular in cross-section,although it may be circular, and the breaker strip I4 is preferablycontinuous about the access opening II. The breaker strip serves tosupport thereon a superimposed cover or closure element generallyindicated by the numeral I 5. This element includes an intermediatesheet I6. an inner sheet or liner I1, and an outer sheet or liner I8.The intermediate sheet I6 is relatively larger in area than the openingII, so that marginal edge portions thereof may extend laterally of oroverlie a peripheral gasket I9 superimnosed on the breaker strip I4. Theouter sheet or liner I8 is preferably domed at its center and ispreferably provided with an integral peripheral wall 2U, the lowerportions of which terminate in an integral inturned flange 2I. Theflange 2| lies substantially in the same plane as the intermediate sheetI8 and is spaced peripherally therefrom. The space between the ilange 2|on the outer sheet I8 and the marginal edge portions of the intermediatesheet I5 is closed by a breaker strip 22. The intermediate sheet I6 maybe rigidly supported by or connected to the outer sheet Il by means of aplurality of corner brackets 23 (only one of which is shown). Thisbracket is shown as being rigidly secured to the outer sheet I8 as byspot welding, and the bracket` is further rigidly connected to theintermediate sheet It by securing means including insulating material24.

The relationship between the intermediate sheet Il, domed outer sheetI8, and peripheral outer wall 2l is such as to provide a housing space25 within the sheets. This housing space serves to accommodaterefrigerant circulating apparatus including a motor-compressor unit 26seated on and carried by a depressed intermediate portion 21 of theintermediate sheet I6. The interior surface of the outer sheet Ilcarries a condenser 28. The condenser is preferably of coil constructionand is spread out over the interior surface of the outer sheet so as tobe substantially coextensive in area therewith. The outer sheet I8 ispreferably of sheet metal or other heat-conducting material, and thecondenser is secured thereto in heat-transfer relationship to secure togreatest advantage the heat-dissipating qualities of the outer sheet.The means for connecting the condenser to the interior surface of theouter sheet may take the form of a plurality of strips 29 including apluralityof integral U-shaped portions embracing the coils of thecondenser and secured to the outer sheet, as by spot welding, betweenthe coils.

The inner sheet I1 is substantially smaller in area than theintermediate sheet I6 so as to fit within the access opening II of thefood storage compartment III. The inner sheet has its marginal edgesprovided with upwardly extending integral flange portions lII whichterminate in laterally extending flanges II rigidly secured to theintermediate sheet IB. The securing means is preferably removable andmay include insulating material to insulate the sheet I1 from the sheetI6. The sheets I6 and I1 are spaced apart and carry therebetween anevaporator in the form of a continuous coil 32. This coil issubstantially coextensive in area with the interior surface of thesheetI1 and is secured to the sheet I1 in heattransfer relationship thereto,the sheet I1 being of sheet metal or other heat-conducting material. Themeans for accomplishing the securing of the evaporator coil 32 to thesheet I1 may include a plurality of strips like the strip 33, havingintegral inverted U-shaped portions embracing the coils and spot weldedbetween the coils to the sheet I1. This arrangement utilizes to greatestadvantage theentire surface of the sheet I1 as part of the evaporator.

The refrigerant circulating system or apparatus includes the compressor26, condenser 28 and evaporator coil 32, and further includes alowpressure line Il between the evaporator and compressor, a refrigerantline 35 between the compressor and condenser, and a high-pressure line36 including a capillary tube 31 Abetween the condenser and evaporator.Insulating material 38 is provided in the space between the evaporatorcoil $2 and the proximate surface of the intermediate sheet I6. Theapparatus may further include a cold control Il of conventionalconstruction responsive to a cold control bulb 40 carried by theexterior surface of the inner sheet I1 s0 as to be within the foodcompartment jl. This construction may be conventional and forms no partof the present invention.

The peripheral wall portion 20 of the outer sheet I8 is louvered at 4Iand the central upper portion of the outer sheet Il is provided with anopening 42 closed by a louvered cover 43. As shown by the arrows,cooling air may circulate through the louvers Il and the louvers in thecover l! over the condenser coils 2B and further over themotor-compressor 2i. and refrigerant lines within the housing space 25.The cover Il may be made removable to facilitate access to thecompartment 2i.

The cover or closure element I5 may be hinged or otherwise secured tothe chest or cabinet so that it may be opened or closed to provideaccess through the opening II to the food storage compartment I0 and isfurther constructed so as to be completely removable therefrom in theevent of failure of the refrigerating apparatus to function.

in which case the closure element may be replaced by a like elementwithout causing any cessation of refrigeration. In the meantime theremoved unit may be taken to any convenient service location for repairor adjustment.

The several advantages and features of the in vention have been pointedout heretofore. Other advantages and features will undoubtedly occur tothose skilled in the art, as will numerous modiilcations and alterationsin the preferred construction illustrated. It will be understood, ofcourse, that these deviations may be accomplished without sacrificingany of the principles of the in.- vention and without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storagecompartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening,comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include ahousing space therebetween; means securing the liners together at theirmarginal edge portions; and refrigerant circulating apparatus housed inthe space between the liners and including an evaporator in proximity toand substantially coextensive in area with the inner liner. a condenserin proximity to and substantially coextensive in area with the outerliner, and refrigerant circulating connections between the evaporatorand condenser. j

2. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming `a food-storagecompartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening,comprising: an inner and an outer liner, both of sheet metal, spacedapart to include a housing space therebetween; means securing the linerstogether at their marginal edge portions; an evaporator within thehousing space and carried by and spread out over the surface of theinner linerand including a heat-transfer connection to said inner liner;a condenser within the housing space and carried by and spread out overthe surface of the outer liner and including a heattransfer connectionto said outer liner; means insulating the inner liner from the outerliner; and a refrigerant compressor within the housing space between theliners including refrigerantcirculating connections between theevaporator vand compressor, the compressor and condenser.

and the condenser and evaporator.

3. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming afood-storage compartment provided with an access opening. a closureelement for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufiicient areato cover said opening and to engage the cabinet walls around theopening; a second sheet of heat-conducting material generally paralleland spaced inwardly from the first sheet and reduced in area to fitwithin said opening; means securing the second sheet to the first sheet;an evaporator positioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transferrelationship to the inner sheet and being spread out substantially overthe area of said inner sheet; insulating material between the evaporatorand first sheet; a generally dome-shaped third sheet spaced outwardlyfrom the first sheet and including peripheral wall portions secured tothe first sheet to provide a housing space between the first and thirdsheets; a condenser in said housing space and spread out substantiallyover and in heattransfer relationship with the interior surface of thethird sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions andin the domed portion of said third sheet for the circulation of air overthe condenser; and a refrigerant circulating circuit including theaforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including a compressorcarried by the first sheet in the housing space between the first andthird sheets.

4. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming afood-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closureelement for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufilcient areato close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting materialgenerally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; meanssecuring the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positionedbetween the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to theinner sheet and being spread out substantially over the area of saidinner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet andincluding peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to providea housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenser in saidhousing space and spread out substantially over and in heat-transferrelationship with the interior surface of the third sheet; meansproviding louvers in the peripheral wall portions of said third sheetfor the circulation of air over the condenser; and a refrigerantcirculating circuit including the aforesaid condenser and evaporator andfurther including a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housingspace between the first and third sheets.

5. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming afood-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closureelement for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufficient areato close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting materialgenerally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; means.securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positionedbetween the sheets in proximity to the inner sheetand being spread outsubstantially over the area of said inner sheet; a third sheet spacedoutwardly from the first sheet and including peripheral wall portionssecured to the first sheet to provide a housing space between the firstand third sheets; a condenser in said housing space and spread outsubstantially over and in proximity to the interior surface of the thirdsheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions of saidthird sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and arefrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser andevaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first.sheet in the housing space between the first and third sheets.

- 6. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming afood-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closureelement for said opening, comprising: a first sheet of sufficient areato close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting materialgenerally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet; meanssecuring the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporator positionedbetween the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationship to theinner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the first sheet andincluding peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet to providea housing space between the first and lthird sheets; a condenser in saidhousing space in heat-transfer relationship with the interior` of'thethird sheet; means providing louvers in the peripheral wall portions ofsaid third sheet for the circulation of air over the condenser; and arefrigerant circulating circuit including the aforesaid condenser andevaporator and further including a compressor carried by the first sheetin the housing space between the first and third sheets.

7. In a refrigerator having a cabinet including walls forming afood-storage compartment provided with an access opening, a closureelement for said opening, comprising: a first sheet-of sufficient areato close said opening; a second sheet of heat-conducting materialgenerally parallel and spaced inwardly from the first sheet;

means securing the second sheet to the first sheet; an evaporatorpositioned between the sheets and secured in heat-transfer relationshipto the inner sheet; a third sheet spaced outwardly from the rst sheetand including peripheral wall portions secured to the first sheet toprovide a housing space between the first and third sheets; a condenserin said housing space in heat-transfer relationship with the interiorsurface of the third sheet; and a refrigerant circulating circuitincluding the aforesaid condenser and evaporator and further including,a compressor carried by the first sheet in the housing space betweenthe first and third sheets.

8. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storagecompartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening,comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include ahousing space therebetween, and having said outer liner of generallydome-shape to increase the capacity of said space for the purpose ofcontaining refrigeration apparatus; means securing the liners togetherat their marginal edge portions; and refrigerant circulating apparatushoused in the space between the liners and including an evaporator inproximity to the inner liner, a condenser in proximity to the outerliner and refrigerant circulating connections between the evaporator andcondenser.

9. In a refrigerator including a cabinet forming a food-storagecompartment having an access opening, a closure element for the opening,comprising: an inner and an outer liner spaced apart to include ahousing space therebetween; means securing the liners together lat theirmarginal edge portions; said marginal edge portions securing meansincluding peripheral wall portions; refrigerant circulating apparatushoused in the orator in proximity to the inner liner, a condenser inproximity to the outer liner, and refrigerant circulating connectionsbetween the evaporator and condenser; and louve:` means in saidperipheral wall portions arranged to direct air over said condenser.

10. The invention set forth in claim 9, in which: additional louvers areprovided in the outer liner and arranged to cooperate with theperipheral wall louvers for the circulation of air over the condenser.

JOHN R. PROSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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